Detachable port cover



D612. 25, R FUNK DETACHABLE PORT COVER Filed June 10, 1945 2Sheets-Sheet l 45 3435 su RuomJPH FZ/NK INVENTOR- ATTORNEY Dec. 25,1945. FUNKv 2,391,407

DETACHABLE PORT COVER Filed June 10, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 237 RUDULFHFUNK INVENTOR 249 234 240 @334. JM 119.14. ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 25,1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DETAOHABLE PORT'COVER RudolphFunk,Hagcrstown, Md. Y Application June 10, 1943, Serial No. 490,297

2 Claims.

This invention relates generally to port closures and more particularlyto a detachably engageable cover plate. While the present inventionfinds particular utility in covering and uncovering openingsin the outerskin or fabric of airplane fuselages and similar structures, it will, ofcourse, be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the presentinvention relates that this invention may be used as a detachable coverforopenings of various kinds. l

Among the principal objects of the invention lies the provision ofdetachable cover plate structure which when in the closed positionthereof may have the outer or front face thereof in flush position withrelation to the surrounding structure. This coplanar relationship of theouter surface of the cover plate and the contiguous outer surfaces ofthe objects being closed is desirable for many reasons among whichareinconspicuousness from the point of view of esthetic design;

safety in that no protuberances are presented which are likely toaccidentally catch or strike other objects; and low parasitic drag orair resistance when used upon airplanes or similar bodies capable ofhigh speed motion through the air.

Another object herein lies in the provision of detachable cover platestructure which may be readily removed and replaced s that'the same maybe used in connection with all types of emergency apparatus.

Another object herein lies in the provision of detachable cover platestructure which is very easily manipulated without the use of anyspecial tools or skill.

Another object herein lies in a provision of I devices of the classdescribed which may have a longoperative life with substantiallyfoolproof and trouble free operation.

An important feature of the present constructions lies in the fact thatthe same are not deleteriously affected during the course of theirnormal operation bylarge ranges in temperature or high degrees ofvibration.

Another object herein lies in the fact that by reason of the resilientcoaction of the parts, they may accommodate in position with relation toeach other so that close tolerances need not be maintained and the partswill function even after some distortion may have taken place either byreason of accident or slightly inaccurate assembly.

An object herein lies in the provision of detachable coverplate'construction which may be readily installed upon an object evenafter the object itself has been completely fabricated.

A still further object herein lies in the provi-' sion of a structure ofthe class described which may be manufactured in relative high quantityat comparatively low cost, thus permitting a wide In the accompanyingdrawings forming a material part of this disclosure similar referencecharacters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views inwhich Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a firstembodiment of the invention shown in an engaged or closed positionthereof.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the device shownin Figure 1, seen from the rear.

Figure 3 is a developed plan view of the blank used to form the spiderelement.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view as seen from the distortedplane 4-4 on Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view as seen from the plane 55 onFigure Figure 6 is a developed plan view of the blank used to form oneof the guide elements.

Figure 7 isa rear elevational View taken similarly to Figure 2 butshowing the latching fingers in the disengaged oropen position thereof.

' Figure 8 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a secondembodiment of the invention shown in an engaged or closed positionthereof.

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevational view of the deviceshown in Figure 8, un-

latched.

Figure 10 is a top plan view of one of the latching fingers as removedfrom the device and showinga horizontal sectional view of the pinion ofthe operating element at the level of engagement with the latchingfinger.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view as seen from the plane ll-H onFigure 9.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding generally toFigure 11 but showing a third embodiment of the invention.

' Figure 13 is a developed plan view of one of the guide elements of thethird embodiment of the invention.

Figure 14 is a plan view as bent up from the blank shown in Figure 13. v

Figure 15 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a modification of therim reinforcement shown on Figure 11.

Turning now to the first embodiment of the in vention illustrated inFigures 1 to 7 inclusive, the detachable cover plate device is generallyindicated by numeral 20 and comprises broadly a cover element 2|, aspider element 22, a plurality of guide elements 23, a plurality oflatching fingers 24, an orifice rim 25, and resilient means 26.

The present device may be used, of course, with any object having anopening and presenting a rim which the outer terminals 2'! of thelatching fingers 24 may engage. For the purpose of illustration I haveshown the device as combined with a circular orifice 28 in .the outerkin 29 of an airplane fuselage (not shown), and this outer skin i shownas being composed of a metal sheet. As best seen in Figure 4 of theaccompanying drawings, the skin or metal sheet 29 adjacent to theorifice rim 25 is deformed so as to produce a flange which iscoextensive with the orifice rim. The flange or rim 25 is spaced inposition with relation to the outer surface 36 of the skin 29 by therabbet portion 3 I.

The cover element in the case of a circular orifice rim 25 iscorrespondingly shaped to have a circular peripheral edge 32. In orderto save weight and to promote the rigidity of the cover element theouter edge thereof is dished as indicated by numeral 33 on Figure4. Thegreatest diameter of the cover element 2| is substantially equal to orslightly less than the greatest diametrical distance between opposedportions of the rabbet 3|.

The guide elements generally indicated by numeral 23 are substantiallyidentical and a detailed description of one will sufiice for all. Asseen in Figure 6, the guide element 23 includes a base 34 provided witha plurality of orifices 35 by means of which it is secured to the rearor under surface 36 through the use of rivets 3?. The base 34 includesthat portion of the guide element 23 dis posed between the inner bendline 38 and the outer bend line 39. The inner guide member is indicatedby numeral 46 and includes the spring anchoring orifice 4!. The blank,as shown in Figure 6, is provided with a substantially rectangularorifice 42 having a top edge 43, a first side edge 44, a second sideedge 45 and a bottom edge 46. The distance between the top edge 43 andthe bottom surface 47 of the base 34 affects the effective pressure ofthe latching fingers in the closed position thereof and the frictionalresistance to rotation of the operating element 48, depending of course,upon the positioning of other parts. The distance between the said edges45 and 44 is preferably slightly greater than the width of the latchingfingers to allow the curved path of travel which they take during normaloperation as will more fully appear hereinbelow. The outer guide member49 is disposed outwardly of the outer bend line 39, includes asubstantially straight edge 56 and a substantially curved or roundededge The curved edge 5! facilitates the insertion of the assembled coverplate within the rim 25 while the substantially straight edge 50 permitsthe proper fiexure of the latching finger during the normal range ofoperation. All ofthe guide elements 23 are preferably of uniformconstruction for the purpose oflow cost in large scale productionthough, as will be apparent, the anchoring orifice 4! of only one of theguide elements 2 3 is actually used. The guide elements 23 arepreferably uniformly spaced about the periphery of the cover element 2|and the innermost surfaces 520i the inner guide members 45 arepreferably substantially perpendicular to an imaginary line drawnthrough the axis of rotation of the spider element 22 and bifurcatingthe latching fingers 24. The inner and outer guide member 46 and 49respectively, in the finished form of the guide element 23 arepreferably substantially perpendicularly arranged with respect to thebase 34.

Th spider element 22-which functions as an interconnector for the innerends of the several latching fingers 24 is preferably formed as shown inFigure 3 and is provided with a central orifice 53 and a plurality ofradiating, orificed ears 55, 56 and 51, having the orifices 58, 59 and60 respectively. One of the ears for example the ear 55-, includes anextending spring anchoring portion 6|. The portion 6| may b providedwith suitable indentations 62 to receive one of the eye ends 63 of thespring 64. This portion 6| is preferably formed by bending the sameperpendicularly about the bend line 65.

The central orifice 53 of the spider element 22 may have a key 66projecting from anedge thereof, said key being adapted to engage acorrespondingly positioned groov in the operating element 48. Othersuitable means may be employed to integrate the spider element 22 withthe operating element 48 so that these two elements may rotate as aunit. As best seen in Figures 1 and 4, the head 61 of the operatingelement 48 may be provided with a groove 68 adapted to receive anysubstantially universally available tool such as a screw driver or coinedge. The peripheral rear surface of the head 61 may be of frustoconicalshape and adapted to be seated in a corresponding formation in the edgesof the central orifice 69 in the cover element 2|. Where, as shown, thecover element-is composed of sheet material, the edges of the orifice 69may be deformed for that purpose. In order to properly position theparts and to form a substantial bearing therefor a. washer 10 isprovided. The configuration -of the washer is best seen in Figure 4 andit is disposed between the inner surface of the spider element 22 andthe inner or rear surface of the cover element 2|. The washer 10 has acentral orifice which is of a diameter substantially equal to thegreatest diameter of the hollow rivet-like shank H of the operatingelement 48.

The latching fingers 24 are of substantially identical construction andin order to avoid repetition a detailed description of one win sufficefor all. The fingers 24 are preferably composed of pieces of strip stockand may be made of any suitably resilient material as for example,spring steel or phosphor bronze. The outer terminals of the fingers 21are provided with rounded portions I2. These rounded portions are forthe purpose of enabling the outer terminals of the fingers to rise(upwardly as viewed in Figure 4) over the edge of the rim 25. Thefingers 24 do this when they are radially extended with relation to theoperating element 48 by a wedging or camming action. The inner ends ofthe fingers 24 are provided with suitable orifices and are pivotallyattached to the ears 55, '56 and 51 by means of rivets 13.

The spring 64 is articulately at an ey end 63 thereof connected to the.portion GI and the other end thereof engages the spring anchoringorifice 4| in the oppositely disposed guide element 23.

By way of example, one manner of assembling the device is heredescribed. The fingers 24 are pivotally riveted to the'ears'of thespider element. The guide element 23 may be placed upon the fingers 24either before-matter the last described riveting operation since theorifices 42 are large enough to permit passage therethrough of thedeformed outer ends 21, The operating element 48 is now placed withinthe orifice therefor 69 in the cover element 2I and the shank 'II ispassed through the washer 10 and through the orifice 53 so that the.rear groove therein engages the key 66. The rear end of the shank II isthen swaged over. The guide elements 23 may now be secured in placeby-the rivets 31. Lastly, the spring 64 is snapped into place.

The mode of operation of the device as presently understood is asfollows: As viewed in Figure 2 when the spider element 22 is rotated ina clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow 80, a rotation which isobtained by rotating the head 61 of the operating element 48 in acounter-clockwise direction, the spider element pulls the latchingfingers radially inwardly in a curved path, During thisstage the spring64 is being expanded and as soon as'the spring 7 passes over the axis ofrotation of the operating element 48 it goes beyond the dead centerposition and contracts so that the parts take the position shown inFigure '7. In this position the inner portions I4 of the roundedportions I2 strike against the edges I5 of the guideelements 23 whichact as detents therefor. If the spring 64 is of sufficient contractilestrength it may cause the rounded portions I4 to ride upon the bases 34so that the most retracted position of the fingers 24 will be when themiddle portions thereof abut against the inner extremities of theirneighbors. Ordinarily this will not occur. However, the spring fingersare partially distorted and take an angle illustrated in Figure 4 causedby the elevation of the ends thereof by reason of the rounded portionsI2. This distortion of the spring fingers in the opening and closingmovements of the fingers causes a certain amount of friction between therear or upper surfaces of the fingers and the top edges 43 of the guideelements 23. With the outer terminals 21 of the fingers in retractedposition as just described, the entire cover platedevice indicatedgenerally by numeral 20 may be Withdrawn from the circular orifice 28.The replacement of the cover of the device 20 is accomplished'byreversing the above described procedure. 'It may be noted at this pointthat in replacing the cover elements with the parts attached thereto toengage within the orifice 28 that the outer guide members facilitate theproper positioning of the cover element. After the cover element isseated, the operating element 48 is rotated in a clockwise direction asviewed in Figure 1', which causes the parts to travel in the directionof the arrow 8| on Figure 7. Here again the spring 64 passes the deadcenter position to urgethe latching fingers in their radially outwardmovement. By reason of the resiliency of the fingers, the outerterminals 21 are urged downwardly as viewed in Figure 4 to constantlyresiliently and frictionally engage the rim 25 and they are supported inthis engagement by the guide elements. It may be noted that the spring64 is still under tension in the position it occupies in Figure 2 andthat further counter-clockwise rotation of the spider element isprevented by the engagement of the side edges of the fingers against thestraight edges 50 and the side edges 44 of the guide elements 23. I

Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention illustrated inFigures 8 to 11 inclusive, the detachable cover plate device isgenerally indicated by .numeral I20 and comprises broadly a coverelement I2I, a plurality of guide elements I 23, a plurality of latchingfingers I24, an orifice rim H9, an orifice rim reinforcement I25, and anoperating element I48.

The second embodiment may be used with any objects having an opening andpresenting a rim which the outer terminals I21 of the latching fingersI24 may engage. In the second embodiment of the illustration, structureis shown which maybe almost completely fabricated of plastic materials.Such plastic materials may be of any of the well known types as forexample, thermosetting phenolics, or high melting point thermoplastics.In accordance with the second embodiment of the invention, the coverelement may co-act with a deformed orifice rim such as the rim 25previously described, or the same may coact with a raw edge in a pieceof taut fabric by the use of the orifice rim reinforcement I25.

Thus, by the use of this embodiment the installation of a removablycovered port at any point on a fabric covered fuselage of an aeroplanemay be readily and conveniently accomplished. Where the periphery I32 ofthe cover element I2I is circular, it becomes necessary only to cut acorrespondingly shaped orifice in the skin I29 and to cement thereonover the circular area I I8 the orifice rim reinforcement I 25 which mayhave a recessed inner flange Ill. The recessing of the inner flange II'Imay be formed by the rabbet portion I3I.

In order to save weight and material and to promote the flush mountingand the rigidity of the cover element I2I the rear or inner surface ofthe cover element is provided with circularly disposed reinforcing ribsH6 and '5, and radially disposed ribs II4. The radially disposedreinforcement ribs II4 radiate from a central. hub H3. The radial ribsII4 are arranged in 7 than the width of the latching fingers to permitsaid fingers to radially reciprocate therebetween. The radiallyoutermost surface of the rib II5 forms a guide member I49. It may benoted at this point that the ribs H5 and H6 extend between the pairs ofthe radial ribs I I4. The guide member I49 facilitates the insertion ofthe assembled cover plate within therim reinforcement The guide elementsI23 are preferably uniformly spaced about the periphery of the coverelement l2I and are arranged generally perpendicularly to imaginarylines drawn through the axis of rotation of the operating element I48and extending along the longitudinal axis of each of the latchingfingers I24. The operating element serves to interconnect the inner endsof the latching fingers I24 and is preferably formed as shown in Figure11. The operating element I48'includes a head I61 which may be providedwith a groove I68 adapted to receive a screw driver, coin edge, orsimilar tool. The element I48 inwardly or rearwardly of the head I61ineludes an axle I I2 which is journaled in a suitable central orificein the hub H3. Projecting rearwardly or inwardly rrem the inner end ofthe axle H2 is a pinion III. The smaller terminal "I of the operatingelement I48 projects from the pinion III and this terminal is adapted tohave placed thereon a washer I19. The washer I'ID has a central orificewhich is of a diameter substantially equal to the greatest diameter ofthe terminal Ill. 7

The latching fingers I24 are of substantially identical construction andin order to avoid repetition a detailed description of one will sufiicefor all. The fingers I24 are preferably composed of pieces of stripstock and may be made of any suitably resilient material as for example,spring steel or phosphor bronze. The outer terminals I2-I of the fingersI24 are provided with rounded portions I12. These rounded portions arefor the purpose of enabling the outer terminals of the fingers to riseupwardly as viewed in Figure 11 over the edge of the reinforcing rimI25. The fingers I24 do this when they are radially extended withrelation to the operating elements I48 by a rack and pinion action. Thepinion is the pinion I I I and the racks indicated by numeral HI! (seeFigure 10) are integral with each of'th'e fingers and extend from oneside edge of an elongated slot I39 in the inner end, I98 of the fingers24. As will be clear from a perusal of Figure 10, when the pinion I I Iis rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in said figure, thefinger I24 will be extended to the right or radially of the device, alimit being reached when the pinion abuts against the inner end Ii'J'Iof the slot I09. A reversal in the direction of rotation of the pinion II I will cause the finger I24 to be retracted with relation to the edgeof the device which movement will be stopped when the pinion abutsagainst the outer end H16 01 the slot NS.

The latching fingers are generally more curved before assembly thanshown in the drawings so that when they are stacked and nested upon thepinion III and washer I10 is put in place, and the terminal HI swagedover or riveted, theouter ends I21 exert a resilient pressure throughthe rounded ends I12 upon the rear or under surface N of the coverelement I2I (downward pressure as viewed in Figure 11). V

Spaced inwardly from the ends I21 each of the latching fingers I24 isbent to form an undulation or indentation I95 which is adapted toresiliently engage the surfaces 'or edges I43 of the guide elements I23when the fingers are in this fully extended position thereof. Inreaching the said extended position, the protuberances I04 must passbeneath the edges I43 thus providing the passing of a dead centerposition and a snap action as the fingers I24 reach their extendedreinforcement rim engaging position.

t may thus be seen that since all of the racks H5 are in constant meshwith the pinion IIi, rotation of the head I6! will cause simultaneousoperation of all of the fingers I24. So then, as illustrated, clockwiserotation of head it! (Fig.8) will retract the fingers !24 so that thecover element I25 may be removed or opened, and clockwise rotation ofthe head I61 after the guide member 543 has been seated within the inneredge of the fiange In of the rim I25, will extend the fingers 524 tolatch the cover element in place in its closed position.

Turning now to the third embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 12,it will be seen that this form is generally simuar to the secondembodiment, but the cover element 22I is made of thin sheet materialsuch as metal. The guide elements 223 are also made from sheet materialand are secured in place by rivets 231. Other suitable fastening meansmay be of course, sub- 'stituted for the rivets.

The guide elements 223 include an inner guide member 2 4'0 and an outerguide member 249. The guide members 249 and 249 project from an L shapedbase 234. The fingers 224 penetrate the orifices 242 while theundulations or depressions 2'35 coact with the top edge 243 of theorifice 242. The outer guide members 249 aid in properly seating thecover element 22] within the orifice 228. Fitting of the operatingelement 248 for "rotation is accomplished by countersinking the edgeportion of the orifice 269. For the pur pose of avoiding needlessrepetition, other parts corresponding to the second embodiment are giventhe same reference characters with the prefix 2.

In all three of the described embodiments, it will be noted that in theclosed or latched position of the cover element, there is a resilientengaged position caused by the action of the resilient fingers 24, I24,or 224 and by the spring 64 or the protuberances I84, 204. This mode ofoperation enables the present port closure constructions to withstandthe effects of vibration and contraction and expansion due to changes oftemperature.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to theexact details of construction shown and described, because obviousmodifications will occur to a, person skilled in the art.

In the modification shown in Figure 15, an altered form of orifice rimreinforcement structure is shown. This construction provides for smoothair flow and easy attachment to the fuselage skin. The reinforcement 325tapers outwardly so that the cover element 32I may lie outwardly of theouter surface 330 of the skin 329 and yet a streamlined result isobtained. In the use of this modification, the reinforcement 325 may becemented or otherwise secured to the outer surface 330 of the skin 329at any desired location and the skin disposed within the orifice of thereinforcement 32%) is removed. The periphery 332 of the cover element'32I will then fit 'detachably within the circular rabbet 3I'I. Numeral3I8 indicates the cementing area. The tapered portion 300 reduces airdrag to a minimum.

I claim:

1. A detachably engageable cover plate for use with a'surface having aport, comprising: a cover element having a periphery; a plurality ofguide elements connected to said cover element; said guide elementsincluding an outer guide member adapted to engage the edge of said port,and an inner guide member having an orifice; a plurality of latchingfingers slidably disposed within said guide members; said outer guidemembers acting to place and position the cover element with respect'tothe edge-of said port; said latching fingers being shiftable outwardlyto engage the edge of said port "and inwardly to disengage the edge ofsaid port.

2. A detachably engageable cover plate for use with a, web having aport, comprising: a cover element having a periphery; a plurality ofguide elements connected to said cover element; said guide elementsincluding an outer guide member adapted to engage the edge of said portand an inner guide member having an orifice; a plurality of latchingfingers slidably disposed within said inner guide members; said outerguide members being composed of resilient material and having adepression adapted in the closed position of the finger to be engaged bythe edge of the orifice of the inner guide member which the latching 6finger penetrates.

- RUDOLPH FUNK.

